Hurricane Center
ALERT: Mayor Ken Welch has declared a State of Local Emergency in the City of St. Petersburg for the purpose of response to Tropical Storm Ian. View the orders here.
Safeguarding Against the Storm
Hurricane preparedness is a part of life in St. Pete and the City of St. Petersburg urges citizens to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their home and property, and their communities before, during, and after the storm. Much of St. Pete lies in evacuation zones; make sure you have a plan before there’s a storm approaching.
Are you a resident that also owns a business in St. Pete? Click here to see a centralized page for federal, state, county and local resources specific to business owners.
Before the Storm
The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before there’s one approaching. View the City’s Good Neighbor Guide: Hurricane Planning for tips on how to prepare for hurricane season.
- Sign up to receive emergency notifications with Alert Pinellas (Alert St. Pete)
- Visit Know Your Zone or call 727-453-3150 to learn your hurricane evacuation level
- The Official Hurricane Guide to Pinellas County
- Get A Plan! at Florida Disaster.org
- Prepare for the Storm — NOAA & National Weather Service
- Sandbags
- To avoid your trash and recycling bins from being swept away during a storm, bring them in from the curb to inside the garage or next to the house.
Evacuation
Take the necessary steps to prepare yourself, your family, and your home in the event that you need to evacuate. Don't wait until a storm approaches; know your zone and make a plan now.
- Know Your Zone
- All-Hazards Preparedness Guide
- Shelters
- Emergency Contacts
- Pinellas County Emergency Management
727-464-3800 - St. Petersburg Emergency Management
727-892-5200 - St. Petersburg Citizens Information Center
727-893-7111
- Pinellas County Emergency Management
Evacuation Assistance Program
Residents who require assistance in an evacuation should pre-register as early as possible. Through the Evacuation Assistance Program, citizens who cannot transport themselves to a shelter will be taken to a general evacuation shelter, a special needs shelter (John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S., St. Petersburg), or the appropriate facility, such as a hospital or nursing home. Residents MUST pre-register to access these services and should NOT wait until a storm is approaching. Register for evacuation assistance today at 727-551-3822.
Pet Preparedness
Pet owners are responsible for disaster planning for their pet. If you plan to evacuate, plan for your pet as well. Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets. If you plan to go to a public shelter, make other provisions for your pet. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS BEHIND IF YOU EVACUATE.
- Review Ready.gov Preparing Your Pet for Emergencies.
- View pet-friendly shelters and other Pinellas County information on Pinellas County’s Pet Preparedness page.
During The Storm
Follow Pinellas County's guide for what to do and when to act during a storm. Be prepared to evacuate, if necessary. Monitor the appropriate news channels in your local area for instructions as well as StPeteTV (Cable 615/15/20). Find out how to get alerts from your cell phone when the power is out. Learn where sandbags will be available, generator safety tips and local radio stations that will broadcast city information.
The city of St. Petersburg will also provide storm-related information through its social media channels. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stpetefl or on Twitter @StPeteFL or St. Pete Public Works @StPetePW.
- Shelters
- Report Outages and Problems
- Report Non-Emergency Issues (fallen trees, etc.)
- County Resources
- Facility Closures
After the Storm
After the storm passes, use a battery-powered radio to listen for news reports about damage, road closures, power outages, and other emergency instructions. Continue to follow the City of St. Petersburg on social media for real time updates.
Plan on three to seven days of uncertainty, depending on the storm, and be prepared with enough supplies in your storm emergency kit (food, water, medications, and entertainment). If Pinellas County is hit by a hurricane, it could be several weeks or even months before life gets back to normal.
- Pinellas County’s After the Storm Safety Tips and Recovery Assistance
- FEMA Assistance
- Report Issues for City Maintenance
Following severe storm activity and power disruptions, there may be non-working traffic signals in the city. If you encounter an inoperable signal, remember to approach the intersection as a four-way stop. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Sanitation & Debris Collection
Recommended debris removal procedures are as follows:
- Place whatever debris is able to fit into the City garbage container. Before placing containers out for pick-up, top them off with any small branches or other yard debris.
- Debris that can be safely transported may be dropped at any of the city's brush sites, which are open for normal business hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (9/29 Update): Please note, all brush sites will be open Thursday, 9/29 at noon. All five brush sites will be open Friday, 9/30 for extended hours - 9am to 7pm through Sunday, Oct. 8.
- As a last resort, pile debris on the curb and request a special pick-up. Brush from the storm should be cut up in lengths of four feet or fewer and placed between the sidewalk and the curb. Separate vegetation from other storm-related debris, such as broken outdoor furniture, construction or demolition materials. Do not stack debris in rear alleys. View debris placement graphic. Call 893-7111 or log your request at SeeClickFix.
Property Repair
As property owners make repairs to storm-damaged structures, the City of St. Petersburg reminds residential and commercial property owners to obtain the proper permits and to use licensed contractors.
Work which does not require a permit includes minor repair including cosmetic and finishing work. A list of work exempt from permit requirements is available on the permitting page.
The Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB) site includes a list of licensed contractors and the Disaster Contractors Network lists contractors who are registered with FEMA for disaster-related projects.